Two Syllable Names for Girls

While Maui was a male trickster god in Polynesian mythology, the well-known Hawaiian place name Maui can work for either gender.

A tuya is a type of distinctive, flat-topped, steep-sided volcano formed when lava erupts through a thick glacier or ice sheet. The generic name comes from Tuya Butte in British Columbia, Canada, possibly derived from an indigenous Tahltan word.

This spelling gives a nickname feel to a modern word name. The Journee and Journey spellings are both within the U.S. Top 300. But Journie ranks behind her wayfaring sisters with a little under 200 girls receiving the name each year in the U.S.

Popular in Azerbaijan - where is is normally spelled Ni̇gar - Nigar derives from the Persian name, Negar. Beloved as it may be in it's native country, and regardless of it's very different meaning in Persian, it is probably too close to a racial slur to work in an English speaking context.

So named because it emits sparks when struck with a stone.

Still heard in some religious Jewish communities, however diminutive Gitty is more common as a given name.

Loyola is a Spanish surname occasionally used as a first name for girls. This is most likely in honor of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Loyola O'Connor was an American silent film actress.

Superseded by Lauren.

A yellowish chemical compound that produces fluorescent dyes ranging from bright yellow to hot pink to flaming red -- but as a name sounds glaringly sci-fi.